Chapter 283: Ah, It's Loneliness...

"Disciple, what's going on? Why have you immobilized your master?"

At the lakeside of Xiaoqiong Peak, inside Qi Yuan's thatched hut.

Qi Yuan, the elderly Daoist, had just opened his eyes from meditation when a zhiren emerged from his sleeve, transforming into his likeness. With a wave of its hand, he was enveloped in a glow.

Qi Yuan was immediately immobilized.

Li Changshou hurriedly said, "Master, there's no time to explain. Please sit still. Shizu is on his way here with that fox yao."

"Um, disciple must ask: do you have any... feelings for fox yaos?"

In Qi Yuan's aged eyes, the left one seemed to say 'confused', and the right one 'bewildered'. He stared at Li Changshou, at a loss for words.

"Changshou, what's this all about?"

Li Changshou sighed lightly, quickly tapping a few points on his master's body while explaining briefly.

In simple terms, with his master's permission, he had used his master's image to provoke a beautiful fox yao—one that couldn't just be turned to ash with a cry of 'slay the demon and uphold justice'.

Qi Yuan pondered for a moment, roughly understanding the situation, and said resolutely, "Changshou, if it's really unavoidable, I'll take the fall for you!"

"There's no need to worry, Master," Li Changshou replied with a smile. "Disciple has a way to dispel her affections!"

Pausing for a moment, adhering to the principle of thoroughness, Li Changshou whispered, "Master, why not take a look at this yaozu female?"

"What for!"

Qi Yuan glared and exclaimed, "Don't say such things! What if someone hears? I value my reputation for purity—don't let it be ruined today!"

"In that case, disciple is relieved," Li Changshou said, stepping back and bowing to his master. "Master, please stay in this thatched hut for now and don't go out. Leave everything to disciple to handle!"

"Go on, go on, sigh!"

Qi Yuan waved his hand. "As your master, I truly don't know the extent of your abilities or what you're up to every day."

Li Changshou smiled faintly, conjuring a water mirror with a casual gesture to check the appearance of this zhiren. His face wasn't particularly striking, but his eyes were sharp and spirited, and his head of silver hair gave him a vigorous look, identical to how his master appeared after returning to the mountain with Jiu Yushi.

Then, Li Changshou borrowed his master's duster, infusing it with his aura, and carefully inspected it twice before opening the hut door and stepping out with the duster in hand.

Qi Yuan, sitting on the meditation mat, murmured to himself and watched as the door closed on its own, layer upon layer of array formations activating...

He was being protected by his disciple in this place.

Qi Yuan casually summoned a water mirror and glanced at his reflection, only to see a strange... and beautiful female face...

His vision darkened, and he nearly fainted from shock.

On Xiaoqiong Peak, Li Changshou's renzi zhiren walked to the lakeside and stood quietly under a willow tree, watching the figures flying in from the mountain gate.

Although only the fox female from the yaozu side had come, how could the immortals of the sect dare to be careless?

This was the yaozu, after all!

Extremely dangerous!

Thus, aside from the essential defensive forces at the mountain gate, the various elders and peak experts were all closely watching this fox female, whose cultivation was merely at the Zhenxian realm...

Ahem, they were just being cautious, in case this female yao self-destructed and injured the Dao companion of the sect's Jin Xian, Jiang Lin'er. It absolutely wasn't about practicing some Bagua divination!

Li Changshou shook his head at the sight. Whether he revealed himself in front of the sect's immortals or not didn't really matter.

His mastery of the zhiren divine ability could deceive all the sect's qi refiners except for the Jin Xians.

At the same time, Li Changshou began multitasking, activating his backup Haishen zhiren hidden in the Tian Court Sea God's mansion.

To resolve this karmic tie, he needed to use multiple methods.

Outside the Sea God's mansion in Tian Court,

The benevolent old Sea God rode a cloud away from his residence, holding his duster, and headed straight for the Yinyuan Hall!

As soon as Li Changshou departed on the cloud, the several Tianjiang at the mansion gate exchanged glances, looking puzzled.

"When did the Sea God return?"

"I don't know. We didn't see him earlier. How is he appearing out of nowhere?"

"Watch your words. If the Sea God could be seen through by us, would he still be the Sea God?"

The Tianjiang felt this made sense and fell silent, gazing in the direction Li Changshou had left.

By the time the Sea God zhiren was midway, Xiaoqiong Peak was already filled with shadows of the sect's immortals.

Fortunately, Jiang Lin'er said, "Fellow sect members, please keep watch from outside. This matter doesn't require so many people to observe up close."

With that, she led the fox female, along with Jiuwu, Jiusi, and Jiujiu, and descended toward the lakeside.

As for the fox female Xiao Lan, upon seeing the elderly Daoist standing under the willow tree, she perked up and couldn't wait to rush forward.

But her feet faltered, and a hint of timidness showed in her eyes. She bit her plump red lips, adding to her pitiful charm.

However, Jiang Lin'er, with Jiuwu and the others, stopped a hundred zhang away and sent a voice transmission to the elderly Daoist under the tree...

"Are you the second one or Changshou?"

Li Changshou sighed inwardly, knowing this couldn't be hidden from Jiang Lin'er, as she knew his master all too well and had always been quite perceptive.

Li Changshou replied via immortal sense: "It's disciple Changshou. This has nothing to do with my master. I used his form back then for convenience."

Jiang Lin'er chuckled and winked at the elderly Daoist under the tree, as if to say, 'Handle it yourself.'

Then, she pointed at the 'Qi Yuan' under the tree.

"He's right there. Go ahead."

"Yes," the fox female said softly and slowly floated down.

Her enchanting figure was full of allure, like the swaying willow branches and the ripples on the lake.

When she was only about ten zhang away from the elderly Daoist in her heart, the fox female's voice trembled slightly as she whispered, "I..."

Li Changshou maintained a stern expression and said, "Fellow Daoist, why do you wish to see me?"

The fox female seemed to have a hundred things to say, but when it came to it, she only let out a soft "Mm," turning it into, "Daoist, do you still remember me?"

Hearing this, Li Changshou furrowed his brow slightly, carefully controlling his expression to show a hint of doubt.

"I remember, but our entanglement isn't deep.

I captured you to protect the human path;

When I met you down the mountain, it was to ponder a cultivation method, and I gave you spirit pills as thanks.

Why have you caused such a commotion today? Are you targeting me specifically?"

"How could I target you," the fox female said anxiously, stepping forward a few paces.

Li Changshou swept his duster, and a strand of turbid immortal power appeared at the fox female's feet.

"Fellow Daoist, please maintain decorum. I have cultivated in purity for a millennium and won't allow you to tarnish my reputation!"

"I-I..."

The fox female's breathing quickened, her snow-white skin flushing slightly, but she soon calmed down and said softly, "I just wanted to see you once."

Li Changshou flicked his duster. "Very well, you've seen me now. Farewell."

Fox female Xiao Lan was stunned, and many Du Xian Men immortals outside Xiaoqiong Peak, either through voice transmission or in their thoughts, praised him.

This Shidi Qi Yuan (or Shixiong, Shin nephew) is truly upright and resolute. It's a shame he's only a Zhu Xian.

The fox female said sorrowfully, "Are you really so heartless, not even giving me a chance to speak before sending me away?"

"Fellow Daoist, by now, you've already said forty-nine words to me. How is that me not giving you a chance?"

Li Changshou frowned deeply, his wide sleeve sweeping over the ground to produce a low table and two chairs.

"Come, sit.

I'm not only giving you a chance to speak but a proper one.

But if our words don't align, please say no more;

Today, we'll clear the air between us to avoid any future misunderstandings."

With that, Li Changshou sat down casually. The fox female hesitated, like a wronged young wife, and sat down reluctantly opposite him.

At that moment, in Tian Court, the Sea God zhiren had just caught sight of the Yinyuan Hall, so Li Changshou didn't rush to speak under the willow tree.

The timing wasn't right yet.

Not far away, Ling'e approached with a teapot and cups, calling out, "Master," and served tea for the two.

This, of course, was arranged by Li Changshou's voice transmission.

Taking the opportunity, Li Changshou smiled kindly at Ling'e and said, "Disciple, you've worked hard. Go back to your cultivation."

Though Ling'e didn't know this 'master' was her senior brother in disguise, her master was always this kind to her. She bowed and replied, "Yes," then turned to leave.

Li Changshou nodded with a smile, then shifted his gaze to the fox female, his expression turning instantly serious.

"Fellow Daoist, say what you want. With so many sect members watching, I truly don't wish to be alone with you."

The fox female felt a pang in her heart, knowing it was all one-sided on her part.

She sighed gently, "Daoist, do you need a servant girl to attend to you?

I can do anything, as long as I can stay by your side."

This time, Li Changshou fell silent, picking up his teacup but not drinking, his brow furrowed as if pondering.

It seemed he was tempted by the suggestion...

As Li Changshou 'hesitated', the Du Xian Men immortals everywhere held their breath, focusing intently on the scene, afraid to miss any details...

However, Li Changshou was only pausing to concentrate on his conversation with Yue Lao, temporarily silencing the zhiren here.

He couldn't afford to mix up the lines!

In the Yue Lao Hall of Tian Court,

Li Changshou's Sea God zhiren arrived in a hurry, not even giving Yue Lao time to greet him outside. Upon entering, he grabbed Yue Lao's arm.

"Yue Lao, I need your help!"

"Sea God, don't panic, don't panic," Yue Lao said, perking up.

Who was the Sea God? A favorite of the Jade Emperor himself. Even if he wanted to marry ten or eight beautiful xianzi, Yue Lao would exhaust a hundred years of merit to arrange it!

Yue Lao said seriously, "Sea God, just tell me what you need!"

But Li Changshou's next words made Yue Lao's expression turn grave.

"To be honest, besides being the Sea God, I have another identity: a disciple of Renjiao.

I've also been tasked by my master to handle some minor affairs for Renjiao."

Yue Lao nodded immediately. "I've heard of it, I've heard of it."

Li Changshou said solemnly,

"This time, I'm asking for your help not as the Sea God, but as a Renjiao immortal.

Yue Lao, based on my earlier calculations, there's a small calamity brewing at Du Xian Men, a branch of Renjiao. I sent an incarnation to investigate.

It turns out a yaozu female has fallen for a disciple of Du Xian Men.

This yaozu female is from Qingqiu, and she's even gathered many Qingqiu yaozu to cause trouble at Du Xian Men, seemingly intent on forcing herself on that disciple!"

"Ah?!"

Yue Lao's eyes widened. "Such a thing exists!"

Li Changshou said seriously, "Exactly. After thinking it over, I couldn't figure out how to handle it.

If it were a man falling for a woman at first sight and gathering his clan to force her, that would be wicked and deserving of punishment.

But when it's a woman forcing a man, most people would first ask the man, 'Weren't you the one who flirted first?'

So, we can't deal with it directly. I rushed here to ask for your golden scissors to cut this ill-fated red thread!"

"Alright! I'll help with this!"

"No time to waste—they might start fighting any moment!"

"Let's go, quickly to the back hall!"

Yue Lao waved his sleeve, grabbed his golden scissors, and hurried to the back hall, with Li Changshou following closely.

This old Yue Lao was straightforward, not beating around the bush at all. He immediately manipulated the stars and dust, summoning two groups of clay figures.

On the left were the Qingqiu clan, with numerous clay figures, most having human faces and bodies with pointed fox ears.

Overall, the red threads of the Qingqiu clan were spread out, with many extending in all directions.

One red thread extended from the group and reached into the pile of Renjiao Du Xian Men's clay figures on the right. Following this thread, they quickly found a clay figure resembling Qi Yuan.

The red thread was wrapped around Qi Yuan's clay figure, but Qi Yuan's figure had no corresponding thread...

Not even a loose end.

"That's the one!"

Yue Lao acted swiftly, stepping forward with his beard and hair flying!

With a snip, the red thread was cut!

But the thread trembled lightly and began to grow back, stubbornly heading toward Qi Yuan's clay figure...

"Another one of those infatuated types?"

Yue Lao snorted, thinking to himself that he couldn't lose face in front of the Sea God—this was his expertise!

Yue Lao said, "Hmph! Infatuation is no match for fickleness!"

He snipped again with the golden scissors.

Li Changshou, seeing this, pondered briefly and decided to launch an offensive on the main front!

At Xiaoqiong Peak, under the lakeside willow tree,

The 'Qi Yuan' who had been silent suddenly chuckled lightly.

The fox female Xiao Lan, whose heart was inexplicably restless due to the red thread being cut, quickly asked,

"Daoist, what is it?"

"I was waiting for you to speak. Why are you so quiet?"

Fox female Xiao Lan was taken aback and hurriedly said, "I thought you were considering..."

"Considering letting you stay? Don't even think about it."

Li Changshou smiled, the sound of Yue Lao's scissors snipping echoing in his ears. Facing the fox female, he felt much more relaxed.

Li Changshou said calmly, "Fellow Daoist, you haven't truly fallen for me."

The fox female became anxious. "Daoist, Lan'er's heart is filled with your image!"

"Is that what falling for someone means?"

Li Changshou's gaze sharpened, piercing through her as if seeing into her heart.

He said, "Have you ever asked yourself what you really want? Have you truly understood your own feelings?"

"Of course I have... asked..."

The fox female's voice weakened, and as she examined her dao heart, she found those images fading.

"No, actually you haven't," Li Changshou said calmly. "The simplest example: if it weren't me who visited you in the underground prison but any random person from Du Xian Men,

As long as they countered your charm techniques and made you feel defeated, you'd place their image in your heart. Over time, you'd convince yourself it's deep affection.

Is that right?"

"This..."

The fox female parted her red lips but couldn't speak, standing up abruptly, flustered and at a loss.

Li Changshou sighed,

"Fellow Daoist, if I were replaced by someone else, you'd just fall for them instead. Can that be called falling for me?

The essence of romantic feelings and dao companion bonds is 'no one but you'. The person in your heart should be irreplaceable.

Clearly, that's not the case for you."

The fox female stared blankly, murmuring, "I don't have..."

"The underground prison is dark and isolating. You were alone there, without flattering little yaos or the bustle of the mortal world. You were just seeking something to hold onto.

You're a Zhenxian yourself—reflect on it. Is that not the truth?

Fellow Daoist, what you've fallen for isn't me, Qi Yuan."

The fox female stepped back two paces, her eyes full of confusion, murmuring softly, "What I've fallen for isn't Daoist Qi Yuan, it's..."

"Loneliness."

Fox female Xiao Lan's legs gave way, and she collapsed onto the grass.

Li Changshou sighed, "Don't mistake your affections for loneliness again. I'm only saying this because you're from the Qingqiu clan.

Fellow Daoist, please leave. Farewell."

With that, Li Changshou flicked his sleeve and headed toward Ling'e's thatched hut, leaving the bewildered fox female and the Du Xian Men immortals lost in thought.

But that wasn't the end.

At the Du Xian Men mountain gate, Li Changshou's main body zhiren, who hadn't followed Jiang Lin'er earlier, flew out on a cloud toward the elderly matriarch, likely the leader of the Qingqiu yaozu here.

The internal cause was resolved; now, the external pressure needed to be dealt with promptly.

A moment later, in the Yue Lao Hall of Tian Court, Yue Lao wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked at the red thread that had finally stopped growing, breathing a sigh of relief.

Yue Lao turned and saw the Sea God eyeing the Du Xian Men clay figures with interest...

"Sea God, is everything alright now?"

"For now, yes," Li Changshou exhaled lightly. "Thank you for your help, Yue Lao!

But... why does this clay figure have three red threads around it?"

"Oh?" Yue Lao walked over and laughed. "That's the clay figure for young friend Changshou of Du Xian Men. It's always been like that since I first saw it.

Young friend Changshou is an excellent person. Sea God, you should keep an eye on him—he's a promising talent among Renjiao disciples!"

Li Changshou shook his head with a smile.

Yue Lao asked quickly, "Sea God, what is it?"

"Nothing," Li Changshou thought for a moment and replied, "These things should just take their natural course."